A high-efficiency microwave approach to synthesis of Bi-modified Pt nanoparticle catalysts for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium

作者：Huang, Yiyin; Cai, Jindi; Guo, Yonglang^*

来源：Applied Catalysis B-Environment and Energy, 2013, 129: 549-555.

DOI：10.1016/j.apcatb.2012.09.049

• Alkaline fuel cell
• Bi modification
• Ethanol oxidation
• Microwave synthesis
• Pt catalyst

The Bi-modified Pt nanoparticle catalysts using multi-walled carbon nanotubes as supports are prepared through microwave treatment and long-term standing approaches. Bi can easily modify Pt catalyst because of the strong affinity between Bi and Pt. However, only limited amount of Bi and uneven Bi-modified Pt catalyst are obtained through the long-term standing approach. The microwave approach can complete the synthesis rapidly and get uniform Bi-Pt/CNT catalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that Bi (III) and Pt (0) species are the main form in the Bi-Pt/CNT catalyst. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that the modification of Bi on Pt/CNTs leads to an enhanced activity up to 260% compared to Pt/CNTs for ethanol electro-oxidation. The current of Bi-Pt/CNTs (0.1:1) is 44.8 times higher than that of Pt/CNTs at -0.3 V for 1800s. Linear current sweep results reveal that the electro-oxidation of residual intermediate species can be effectively promoted because the adsorption of OHad species is enhanced by the addition of Bi to Pt/CNTs, which is characterized by the higher open circuit potential.

• 单位
  福州大学